State has outstanding dues of over Rs 2 crore

There are 167 persons from whom the state government has to recover outstanding dues of over Rs 2.12 crore for providing non-categorised security. The non-categorised security has been provided to various VIP personalities including corporators.

The prominent ones among them are the famous Bollywood father-son duo Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan who owe over Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 3.4 lakh each. The other Bollywood personality Shekhar Suman owes Rs 1.07 lakh.

Senior criminal lawyer Majeed Memon, who was provided security after some men fired at him outside his residence early this year, has been given a security bill of Rs 2.72 lakh. Even owners of Venky's chicken in Pune, Vyankateshrao and Balajirao owe Rs 17.23 lakh each.

The figures were put before the Bombay High Court on Thursday while the court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by senior advocate MP Vashi seeking that the state recover dues from the concerned persons.

He has also questioned the powers under which the state government waived off outstaying dues of various VIPs.

Assistant government pleader P Pol told the court that they have recovered over Rs 1 crore from various persons who have been provided non-categorised security. However, the state government did not provide the list of names of these persons for 'security' reasons.

A division bench of Chief Justice Harjit Singh Bedi and Justice VM Kanade has directed the state too disclose details of persons who have been provided security and also from whom the security has been withdrawn. The court has also asked the government to provide the exact arrears and steps taken to recover the dues.